Pop Idol winner is 'role model'

Michelle McManus won Pop Idol

Scots Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus can act as a role model for young people, according to a health expert.

Professor Phil Hanlon said that Michelle may give overweight people the confidence and determination to succeed in their respective fields.

Prof Hanlon said Michelle triumphed despite being stigmatised herself.

He also said Scotland had an obesity problem which must be handled in a sensitive way.

Michelle, 23, from Glasgow, beat 21-year-old Mark, from the West Midlands in the final.

And judge Simon Cowell said he was pleased she was in the final because it would have been boring without her.

I don't think we're saying that from now on that the body shape everyone in Scotland aspires to is an overweight one Prof Phil Hanlon Glasgow University

Prof Hanlon, a health expert at Glasgow University, said: "I'm delighted for her success, although I think Scotland has an obesity issue that it must confront.

"So, how do we do that in a way that doesn't undermine people that are overweight and rather, gives them confidence and sense of self-esteem to confront the problem - that's the challenge.

"Michelle has shown a bit of the way and I'm delighted for her.

"I don't think we're saying that from now on that the body shape everyone in Scotland aspires to be is an overweight one, as that would be taking it too far."

He said it was important to strike a balance between encouraging people to lose weight if they need to do so and ensuring they do not lose any self-esteem.

"That is a very, very hard thing to do and that's why I'm pleased someone like Michelle has this success," he added.